Overwintering guide
How to overwinter conference pear
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills conference pear in winter
Cutting conference pear hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More conference pear care
- Overwintering european pear — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering conference pear — our other guide for the same plant
- Full conference pear care guide
- Conference Pear temperature range
- How often to water conference pear
- How to prune conference pear
- Common conference pear problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering conference pear — FAQ
Does conference pear need to come indoors for winter?
Conference Pear is hardy to roughly USDA zone 4 — winter lows around -34°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Conference Pear is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move conference pear for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water conference pear in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills conference pear over winter?
Cutting conference pear hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.